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Pain control is appropriate in a number of situations. Short term pain can include post surgical pain, or pain from an injury or illness. Long term pain can include arthritis pair and pain from chronic disease. Whatever the source and reason for your pet's pain the veterinarians at Sulphur Springs Vet Clinic will work with you to provide a plan specifically tailored for your pet that alleviates or moderates pain and provides the greatest level of comfort. A comprehensive plan can include neutraceuticals, steriodal and non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs.
DOGS
CAUSES OF PAIN IN DOGS
Like people dogs are individuals when it comes to pain. Items listed are some reasons your dog might experience pain. They are listed by the level of pain your dog may experience. The list is not all inclusive but does give you an idea of what to observe in your dog. Dogs are individuals. The manner in which one reacts to pain and level of pain may not be identical to another dog. Knowing your dog as an individual helps you to recognize his reaction to possible causes of pain.
IRRITATING OR MILD
- Minor cuts or scrapes
- Some injections
- Very minor surgery
- Sunburn
- Burns or cuts made by electric clippers
- Intravenous injection
- Full bladder or bowel
- Evacuation of anal glands
- Having teeth cleaned
- Endoscopy
- Arthritis
MILD TO MODERATE PAIN
- Biopsy (internal or external)
- Minor surgery of lower abdomen (castration, spay, cystotomy)
- Tooth extraction
- Arterial catheterization
- Stabilized fractures of smaller bones (tibia/fibula, radius/ulna)
- Arthritis
MODERATE TO SEVERE PAIN
- Removal of an eye
- Small area burns, hot spots, or ulcerations
- Corneal cuts, scrapes, or ulcerations
- Upper abdominal surgery (diaphragmatic hernia, abdominal exploratory)
- Surgery of the mid and lower spine
- Bowel surgery
- Knee surgery
- De clawing procedures
- Stabilized fractures of larger bones or pelvis
- Arthritis
SEVERE PAIN
- Abdominal infections (pancreatitis)
- Nasal surgery
- Large burn or ulceration areas
- Neck surgery (disk)
- Leg amputations
- Chest surgery
- Arthritis
PAIN IN DOGS
When your pet is in pain it is stressful on you as well as your pet. Each dog is an individual. Just as people have different reactions to pain your dog has his personal way of reacting to pain. A dog’s reaction to pain depends on the dog's personality and the amount of pain it is experiencing.
The two types of pain are acute and chronic. Acute pain can result of injury, trauma, or surgery. Acute pain is of relatively short duration. Chronic pain is associated with longer term conditions like arthritis or cancer. Choice of pain treatment is related to the type and duration of pain your dog is experiencing and degree of pain.
The following does not include everything that you might observe. However it does provide you an idea of what to look for if you think a dog is in pain. You might also observe some of these postures and behaviors when your dog is nervous, upset or in ill health. Knowing your pet and how he reacts normally enables you to recognize when he is not behaving normally.
POSTURE
- Hunched or humped the back
- Holding head down or at an odd angle
- Dog stands in the "praying position" (front legs and head on floor, hindquarters in the air)
- Abnormality in the way the dog sits or lies down or abnormal position when sitting or lying down
- Dog protects the painful area
BEHAVIOR
- Lack of interest in surroundings
- Listlessness
- Agitation
- Little or no appetite
- No self grooming or limited self grooming
- Dog acts differently (friendly dog might act shy, good natured dog might act aggressively)
- Inappropriate urination or defecation, or not moving away from the area after urination or defecation
- Repeatedly licking wound or surgical site
ABNORMAL VOCALIZTION
- Howling
- Lack of vocalization, in a dog that is typically vocal
- Crying
- Whining
- Barking
MOVEMENT
- Movements are stiff
- Shivering or shaking
- Holding head at an odd angle
- Low tail carriage or hesitant wagging of tail
- Limping
- Little movement when awake
- Slow to get rise
- Restlessness
- Refusing to put weight on a leg
TREATMENTS FOR PAIN IN DOGS
Depending on the reason for and degree of pain manifestation treatments are highly variable. They may range from petting and comforting your dog to a long term treatment plan for management of chronic pain. Sulphur Springs Veterinary Clinic's doctors and staff will work with you to determine the most appropriate for your individual dog.
CATS
CAUSES OF PAIN IN CATS
Like people cats are individuals when it comes to pain. Cats are extremely good at hiding their pain until it becomes almost unbearable. Items listed are some reasons your cat might experience pain. They are listed by the level of pain your cat may experience. The list is not all inclusive but does give you an idea of what to observe in your cats. Cats are individuals. The manner in which one reacts to pain and level of pain may not be identical to another cat.
IRRITATING OR MILD PAON
- Minor cuts or scrapes
- Some injections
- Very minor surgery
- Sunburn
- Burns or cuts made by electric clippers
- Intravenous injection
- Full bladder or bowel
- Evacuation of anal glands
- Having teeth cleaned
- Endoscopy
- Arthritis
MILD TO MODERATE PAIN
- Biopsy (internal or external)
- Minor surgery of lower abdomen (castration, spay, cystotomy)
- Tooth extraction
- Arterial catheterization
- Stabilized fractures of smaller bones (tibia/fibula, radius/ulna)
- Arthritis
MODERATE TO SEVERE PAIN
- Removal of an eye
- Small area burns, hot spots, or ulcerations
- Corneal cuts, scrapes, or ulcerations
- Upper abdominal surgery (diaphragmatic hernia, abdominal exploratory)
- Surgery of the mid and lower spine
- Bowel surgery
- Knee surgery
- De clawing procedures
- Stabilized fractures of larger bones or pelvis
- Arthritis
SEVERE PAIN
- Abdominal infections (pancreatitis)
- Nasal surgery
- Large burn or ulceration areas
- Neck surgery (disk)
- Leg amputations
- Chest surgery
- Arthritis
PAIN IN CATS
When your pet is in pain it is stressful on you as well as your pet. Each cat is an individual. Just as people have different reactions to pain your cat has his personal way of reacting to pain. A cat ’s reaction to pain depends on the cat's personality and the amount of pain it is experiencing.
The two types of pain are acute and chronic. Acute pain can result of injury, trauma, or surgery. Acute pain is of relatively short duration. Chronic pain is associated with longer term conditions like arthritis or cancer. Choice of pain treatment is related to the type and duration of pain your cat is experiencing and degree of pain.
The following does not include everything that you might observe. However it does provide you an idea of what to look for if you think a cat is in pain. You might also observe some of these postures and behaviors when your cat is nervous, upset or in ill health. Knowing your pet and how he reacts normally enables you to recognize when he is not behaving normally.
POSTURE
- Hunched or humped the back
- Holding head down or at an odd angle
- Attempting to rest in an abnormal position (sternal or curled up)
- Cat protects the painful area
MOVEMENT
- Lack of interest in surroundings
- Listlessness
- Agitation
- Little or no appetite
- No self grooming or limited self grooming
- Cat acts differently (friendly cat might act shy, good natured cat might act aggressively)
- Inappropriate urination or defecation, or not moving away from the area after urination or defecation
- Repeatedly licking wound or surgical site
VOCALIZATION
- Screaming, yowling, or crying
- Hissing or growling and clawing, especially if you touch the painful area
- Lack of vocalization, in a cat that is typically vocal
BEHAVIOR
- Movements are stiff
- Struggles to escape, often by behaving aggressively
- Shivering or shaking
- Holding head at an odd angle
- Sitting away from activity or hiding
- Retreating to quiet areas of house for long periods of time
- Limping
- Little movement when awake
- Slow to get rise
- Restlessness
- Refusing to put weight on a leg
TREATMENTS FOR PAIN IN CATS
Depending on the reason for and degree of pain manifestation treatments are highly variable. They may range from petting and comforting your cat to a long term treatment plan for management of chronic pain. Sulphur Springs Veterinary Clinic's doctors and staff will work with you to determine the most appropriate for your individual cat.
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